A teenager from Dedham, Essex, who suffered from hydrocephalus, epilepsy, and cerebral palsy, has died at the age of 15. Noah, known to his friends as “Background Bob,” raised £250,000 for the NHS hospital that treated him via his art projects. Noah first collaborated with artists worldwide on a painting project three years ago, which raised money for his hospital. During the first Covid-19 lockdown, Noah started painting on cardboard to pass the time while not attending school. The resulting artwork was exhibited multiple times at Firstsite gallery in Colchester, and the family published several books.
Street artists from around the world came forward to collaborate with Noah after his father, Nathan Jones, posted on Instagram. Hundreds of pieces created through Noah’s collaboration with the artists were auctioned off through three different projects, with the proceeds donated to the Colchester and Ipswich Hospitals Charity to be used for sensory rooms for children, refurbishing parts of the neonatal ward for parents’ comfort, and areas for all pediatric patients.
Mandy Jordan, from East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust, said that the charity was grateful for Noah and his family’s donations and that Noah was an inspiration. She added that Noah had left behind a lasting legacy that would have a positive impact on hundreds of young patients for many years to come. Nathan Jones announced his son’s passing on Facebook, stating that Noah died peacefully and free from pain with his family by his side, holding his hands. Mr. Jones called Noah a “beautiful, fun-loving, smiley boy” and shared that he knew “nothing but love and happiness.
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